Former Stafford Teacher Files Appeal On Complaint

STAFFORD — A former Stafford Middle School teacher has appealed the state's dismissal of a discrimination complaint he filed against the school board.

The state Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities in December determined that Joseph Purnhagen's complaint -- that he was treated unfairly because of his age and physical problems -- had no merit.

Purnhagen, 57, of Manchester, said Wednesday he believes that the commission should reopen his case.

``I've been wronged,'' he said.

In a three-page appeal to the commission, a copy of which arrived in town hall Tuesday, Purnhagen contends that he was given no training after he was reassigned to teach computers in 1992.

``The students knew more about computers than I did,'' he said.

His teaching strength is in foreign languages, he said, having taught French and Spanish from 1985 to 1992 at the middle school.

Purnhagen said the school system took no steps to help him deal with the physical demands of his job or to teach subjects for which he had no teaching experience.

He said he was forced to resign to avoid dismissal by the school board. He taught at the middle school until October 1993.

This week, Purnhagen sent a letter to Superintendent of Schools Wayne Senecal asking for a job if the school system offers French and Spanish in the middle school again.

On Wednesday, Senecal said he thinks the appeal is unlikely to change the commission's finding.

``We have done nothing of a discriminatory nature,'' he said.

Purnhagen's request for a job is not being considered because there is no foreign language position in the new budget, Senecal said.

``It's a moot point,'' Senecal said.

The commission has 90 days to reconsider Purnhagen's appeal. If it determines there is no basis to it, he can appeal to Superior Court.

Purnhagen's complaint was one of five lodged against the school board in the past year.

At the end of December, the commission rejected Stafford High School science teacher Shirzad Ahmadi's contention that he was treated unfairly because he is Iranian.

Also dismissed was a complaint by part-time custodian Gregory P. Manner, who accused the school board of passing him over for full-time jobs because he is blind in one eye.

A complaint filed by former high school guidance counselor Thomas Burns was dismissed earlier. The school board had fired Burns in 1993, two years after he was arrested on cocaine possession charges, which were later dismissed. Burns still has two lawsuits pending against the school board.

The only remaining complaint is one by Ahmadi accusing Stafford High School Principal David Perry of retaliating against him for filing the first complaint.